Manchester Guardian
19 November 1888
"THE WHITECHAPEL
MURDER"
On Saturday afternoon a communication from the Birmingham
detectives to the effect that a man suspected of being
concerned in the Whitechapel murders had left Birmingham by
train for London was acted upon by the Scotland Yard
authorities. Detectives Leach and White, of the Criminal
Investigation Department, proceeded to Willesden Junction and
Euston respectively, and at the latter station Inspector
White, on the arrival of the Birmingham train, detained the
suspected individual and conveyed him to Scotland Yard. It
was stated that the man had been staying at a common lodging-
house in Birmingham since Monday last, and the theory was
that if, as was supposed by the police, he was connected with
the East End crimes, he left London by an early train on the
morning of the tragedies. The suspected man was a medical
man who was some years ago practising in London with another
gentleman of some repute. He was of gentlemanly appearance
and manners, and somewhat resembled the description of
witnesses at the inquest as having been seen in company with
Kelly early on the morning that she was murdered. Upon being
questioned as to his whereabouts at the time of the murders,
the suspect was able to furnish a satisfactory account, and
was accordingly liberated. The statement made by a man to
Packer, the fruit seller of Berner-street, that he was of
opinion that his cousin had committed the foul deeds, is
still being investigated by the detectives, who are inclined
to doubt the veracity of the greater portion of the details.
They, however, believe they have found the cousin referred
to, and attach little importance to what was at first
supposed to be a substantial clue.
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Shortly before Mr. Bushby left the bench at the close of the
day's business at Worshop-street Police Court on Saturday a
Swede, named Nikaner A. Benelius, 27 years of age, and
described as a traveller, living in Great Eastern-street,
Shoreditch, was placed in the dock charged with entering a
dwelling-house in Buxton-street, Mile End, for an unlawful
purpose, and with refusing to give any account of himself.
Detective Sergeant Dew attended from Commercial-street
station, and stated that the prisoner had been arrested that
morning under circumstances which rendered it desirable to
have the fullest inquiries made as to him. Prior to the last
murder (of Mary Kelly, in Miller's Court) the prisoner had
been arrested by the police and detained in connection with
the Berner-street murder; but was eventually released. He
had, however, remained about the neighbourhood, lodging in a
German lodging-house, but having, the officer said, no
apparent means of subsistence.
Harriet Rowe, a married woman, living in Buxton-street, Mile
End, then deposed that at about half-past ten that morning
she had left the street door open, and whilst sitting in the
parlour the prisoner, a stranger to her, opened the door and
walked in. She asked him what he wanted, but he only
"grinned" in reply. She was greatly alarmed, being alone,
and ran to the window, but the prisoner then opened the
parlour door and left. She followed him into the street
until she saw a constable, when she gave the prisoner into
custody.
The prisoner was searched at the station, but nothing found
on him.
In answer to the charge, he said he only went into the house
to ask his way to Fenchurch-street.
Mr. Bushby said he should follow the usual course, and remand
the prisoner for inquiries.
The prisoner was remanded till Friday.